The Saskatchewan Rattlers hosted fans at SaskTel Centre on July 12, 2021. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

By Brady Lang/CKOM News

Fans happy to be back in the stands as Rattlers welcome crowd to SaskTel Centre

Jul 13, 2021 | 2:52 PM

For their first three games of the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, the Saskatchewan Rattlers played to a crowd of none.

With COVID restrictions in Saskatchewan still intact up until midnight Saturday, things changed when the clock struck 12:01 a.m.

That also included changes to the live sports world. With all restrictions gone, that opened the door to the return of fans to indoor sports in the province.

It also meant the return of long lineups for stadium beer, where 650 CKOM spoke to both Candice Fehr and Marianna Kindrachuk.

“I don’t watch sports, actually,” Fehr admitted, masked after the purchase of a stadium brew. “I was super easily sold because the idea of going out and doing something fun and having an event, I’m into it.”

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And she wasn’t the only one into it.

According to the CEBL, 175 fans attended the Monday night game between the Rattlers and Edmonton Stingers.

Many were unmasked, including first-time Rattlers attendee Kyle Michnik.

“I think most people have been through enough, (with) vaccines and all that. Anybody who’s here today is probably ultra-comfortable with not having a mask on,” he said as the second quarter began.

“I think it’s thrilling. It’s something people have been waiting for for a long time. Aside from supporting local teams, I think people just want to be in this atmosphere.”

That atmosphere was fuelled by in-game entertainment, from giveaways thrown to the crowd to constant music and action on the court to cheerleaders pumping up the crowds. It was a return not many may have attended, but it was special for those who made it into SaskTel Centre.

Monday was also the night when the Rattlers’ 2019 CEBL championship banner was raised. The 2021 team, winless so far this season, gathered at centre court in front of fans — 687 days after the Rattlers hoisted the trophy and last hosted fans — and unveiled the black banner as DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” played.

Kindrachuk said it felt kind of weird to be walking into SaskTel Centre. She rolled up her sleeves and received both her COVID vaccinations at Saskatoon Tribal Council’s (STC) clinic at the facility.

Speaking a mere few feet away from where those vaccinated wait for their precautionary post-vax 15 minutes, Kindrachuk said that part was cool.

“It has kind of come full circle. (Getting the shot was) the thing you’re supposed to do so you can be able to come here. I did (that) here,” she said.

The signage throughout the arena was a mixture of what was left from the STC vaccination clinic and some that was dedicated to Monday’s game, along with ads from events within the March 2020 timeframe — when Saskatchewan and the world shut down due to the threat of COVID-19.

Early on in the matchup — which ended in an 87-70 loss for the winless Rattlers — the pair of Fehr and Kindrachuk admitted there were a few nervous moments moving towards the 7:30 tipoff.

“Just, how do you act? Not everyone wears masks, which is super fine. It is exciting to have some hope about getting to be with people, celebrate things and go out,” Fehr said while Kindrachuk quickly agreed.

The three fans 650 CKOM spoke to did have one thing in common. With beers in hand, it was one portion of the live sports experience they missed.

“It’s super-exciting to be at an event, and to pay too much for beers,” Fehr said, which was followed by laughter from both of the other fans.

Michnik took it one step further. He admitted the frothy adult beverages were what he missed the most from the on-court action.

“I mean, what’s better than sipping some cold suds and watching the local team succeed?” he asked.

The next matchup for the 0-7 Rattlers will be Friday at 7 p.m., when they’re to host the Stingers again at SaskTel Centre. Fans will again be allowed in the stadium.

The STC clinic will be closed for the day Friday due to the basketball game.